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What does it mean to build a family through openness, transparency, and connection? In this episode, we sit down with Daniel Bayen, an open sperm donor, fertility advocate, and donor-conceived entrepreneur who is helping reshape the future of donor conception.

Having grown up knowing he was donor-conceived and connected with more than 20 half-siblings, Daniel brings a unique perspective to the conversation. His personal experience inspired a mission to create a more ethical, transparent, and supportive approach to family building—one that prioritizes honesty, informed choice, and lifelong connections.

As an open sperm donor, Daniel has helped more than 15 families achieve healthy and intentional pregnancies. Through his work with the Open Donor Association, he has also helped connect over 100 families with open and known donors. Based in Florida and working with families across the United States, Europe, and Asia, Daniel educates recipients and donors on navigating the donor conception journey safely and thoughtfully.

Join us as we discuss the realities of open sperm donation, the donor-conceived experience, the evolving fertility landscape, and why transparency matters for future generations.

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Aaisha Alvi is a writer and leading advocate for postpartum psychosis (PPP) awareness, and the author of A Mom Like That: A Memoir of Postpartum Psychosis. Her memoir has earned acclaim from reproductive mental health experts and organizations including Postpartum Support International (PSI), Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP), and Library Journal.

Drawing from her own harrowing experience navigating a broken system in search of care, Aaisha has made it her mission to expand public and provider understanding of postpartum psychosis — working to prevent the unnecessary suffering, misdiagnosis, and tragedy that too often accompany this illness. She speaks regularly to clinical, academic, and community audiences on the misdiagnosis of PPP, and serves as an active volunteer with PSI, where her educational materials are incorporated into the organization's professional trainings.

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Pleasure during pregnancy and after birth is one of the least talked-about parts of the perinatal experience—yet it’s something so many people quietly struggle to understand or reconnect with. In this episode, Jordin Wiggins opens up an honest, judgment-free conversation about pleasure, intimacy, and the physical and emotional shifts that happen before and after baby.

From changing hormones and body image to discomfort, fear, and evolving relationship dynamics, we explore why pleasure can feel so different—and sometimes out of reach—during this season of life. Jordin shares practical insights and compassionate guidance to help normalize these experiences, reduce shame, and support a more connected, informed approach to your body and relationships.

Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers a refreshing, real look at what’s often left unsaid—and how to navigate it with confidence, curiosity, and care.

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What really happens to your body after birth—and why don’t we talk about it more honestly? In this episode, we take a “Peter Lap” approach—slowing things down, taking it all in, and moving through the postpartum body with curiosity instead of judgment. From physical recovery and hormonal shifts to body image, identity, and the pressure to “bounce back,” this conversation creates space for the full, unfiltered reality.

We explore what healing actually looks like (hint: it’s not linear), how to reconnect with your body after such a transformative experience, and why redefining strength and beauty postpartum matters. Whether you’re newly postpartum, years removed, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers grounded insight, reassurance, and a reminder that your body’s story deserves respect—not rush.

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Kristin Revere is the founder and owner of Gold Coast Doulas in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is an elite certified birth and postpartum doula, newborn care specialist, and childbirth educator dedicated to supporting families through every stage of the parenting journey. Kristin is the co-author of Supported: Your Guide to Birth and Baby and the host of the Ask the Doulas podcast. She’s also a proud mom of two and a bonus mom to one, bringing both professional expertise and personal experience to her work.

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In this episode, we explore the complex, beautiful, and often overwhelming transition into motherhood through a neurodivergent lens. Joined by guest Emily Beecher, we dive into the realities that don’t always make it into parenting books or social media feeds—sensory overload, shifting identity, emotional regulation, and the pressure to meet neurotypical expectations while honoring your own needs.

Emily shares her personal journey into motherhood, offering candid reflections on what surprised her most, what challenged her deeply, and what ultimately helped her find her footing. Together, we unpack how neurodivergence can shape everything from bonding and routines to burnout and self-compassion.

Whether you’re newly postpartum, preparing for motherhood, or navigating this transition in your own way, this conversation offers validation, insight, and practical strategies to help you feel less alone—and more empowered to define motherhood on your own terms.

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In this episode, we speak with Wendell Honanie Jr. of the Hopi Tribe about the importance of maternal health in Indigenous communities and the unique challenges facing Native mothers today. Drawing from his experience and community perspective, Wendell shares insights into how cultural traditions, family support systems, and Tribal leadership play a role in supporting healthy pregnancies and births within the Hopi community.

The conversation explores the broader landscape of maternal health across Tribal Nations, including barriers to care, the impact of historical and systemic inequities, and the ongoing work to strengthen culturally grounded healthcare for Native families. Wendell reflects on the importance of honoring traditional knowledge while building stronger health systems that support mothers, babies, and future generations.

Join us for a thoughtful discussion on community resilience, the power of culture in healing, and the path toward better maternal health outcomes for Indigenous families.

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In this episode, we welcome back Tami Gaines, author of Preemie Parents and mother of micro-preemie twins born at 25 weeks, for Part Two of our conversation—this time focusing on life after the NICU. After months of monitors, medical rounds, and constant vigilance, going home can feel both joyful and overwhelming.

Tami shares candidly about the emotional shift that happens once the hospital safety net is gone: navigating follow-up appointments, managing ongoing medical needs, coping with anxiety, and redefining “normal” as a family. We explore the invisible weight many parents carry after discharge—the hypervigilance, the lingering trauma, and the pressure to simply feel grateful—alongside the profound resilience that continues to grow in this new chapter.

Together, we discuss how families can build support, care for their own mental and spiritual health, and find steadiness in the uncertainty that can follow a NICU stay. Tami’s work has been featured in the New York Daily News, New Jersey News 12, and on dozens of podcasts and blogs, where she continues to offer hope and connection to families navigating life beyond the NICU.

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